Description
- Are you eager to explore Bath and the southern area of the Cotswolds?
- Traveling alone, with a partner, or a small group?
- Looking for an affordable, car-free option?
Then this is the tour of the Cotswolds for you!
If you’re looking for a fun, friendly, shared small-group guided tour then look no further than Go Cotswolds – we’re one of the ONLY tour companies in and around the Cotswolds who can meet this need. On our Bath & Southern Cotswolds tour, you’ll explore gorgeous south Cotswold villages and a UNESCO World Heritage City in just one day!
Have 2 days in the Cotswolds? Take our Bath & Southern Cotswolds tour one day, then explore the northern area with our Cotswolds in a Day tour! Book together and save 10%!
Itinerary for this tour:
After picking you up from either Stratford-upon-Avon (08.50AM) or Moreton-in-Marsh (09.30AM), you’ll visit the following locations:
Note: times shown in parentheses are approximately the amount of time you’ll spend in each location. Travel time is also indicated in the descriptions below.
- Tetbury (45 minutes). After approximately a 45-minute journey from Moreton-in-Marsh, we’ll arrive in Tetbury, a small, pretty and typically Cotswold market town. Known for its quaint streets, including the picturesque ‘Chipping Steps’, historic market hall and lovely independent shops, Tetbury is also known for its most famous residents – none other than King Charles and Queen Camilla! There’s a Highgrove Estate shop here for all your royal souvenirs.
- Bath (3 hours). Departing Tetbury, enjoy the 45-minute ride to Bath. En route, your guide will tell you about the fascinating history of this UNESCO World Heritage City, which dates back to Roman times and enjoyed a revival in the Georgian era. First, we’ll make a quick photo stop at the iconic Royal Crescent, considered to be the finest example of Georgian architecture in the country (Bridgerton fans, rejoice!). Then, we’ll drop you off in the centre of Bath, where you’ll have a further 2 hours 45 minutes of free time to explore with maps we’ll provide. Grab lunch on the go so you can see as much as possible! You may not have time to do everything Bath has to offer, but the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, The Circus and the Jane Austen Centre are all highlights here.
- Castle Combe (30 minutes). A shorter drive of around 35 minutes brings us to Castle Combe. It may look very familiar – it’s one of the most famous and photographed villages in the Cotswolds, consistently ranked as the “prettiest village in England”! A conservation order on the buildings here means there are no ugly telegraph wires, satellite dishes, solar panels or other modern paraphernalia to be seen, giving the impression that you have truly stepped back in time. Get your Instagram snaps here, but don’t forget to see it with your own eyes too.
Pick up times and locations:
- 08.50: Stratford-upon-Avon – Shakespeare’s Birthplace Coach Terminal, Windsor Street, Stratford-upon-Avon
- 09.30: Moreton-in-Marsh – Moreton-in-Marsh train station (wait in the car park near the ticket office)
If you would like to change your pick up point after booking, you can do so using the ‘Manage this purchase’ link in your confirmation email, or by contacting Go Cotswolds. If you’re not sure which pick up point to choose, please ask!
Drop-off times and locations:
- 17.30 – Moreton-in-Marsh train station
- 18.00 – Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s Birthplace Coach Terminal
If you would like to be picked up in Stratford-upon-Avon and dropped off in Moreton-in-Marsh, or vice versa, no problem!
Train travel
From London (Paddington station), Reading, Oxford, Charlbury, Kingham, Honeybourne, Evesham or Worcester, take a direct train to Moreton-in-Marsh. We’ll pick you up from right outside Moreton-in-Marsh train station.
From Birmingham, take a direct train to Stratford-upon-Avon – our pick up point is just a 5-10 minute walk from Stratford-upon-Avon train station. (See this Google Map for walking directions.)
We always recommend you buy a flexible ‘anytime’ ticket that allows you to take any train. The times stated above are usually the latest we expect to get to the drop-off points – we are often a few minutes earlier, but we can never 100% guarantee this. If you have a flexible ticket, then you can take an earlier train and won’t have to wait around.
However, if you wish to book a particular train to take advantage of cheaper ‘advance single’ tickets, then we recommend you plan to depart after the drop-off times stated above.
We recommend The Trainline* for online train ticket bookings. Book train tickets 6-8 weeks ahead of the travel date (and no more than 12 weeks ahead) for the best prices.
What to wear?
Please dress in comfortable clothes that are appropriate for the weather conditions. Bring a raincoat or umbrella if it’s raining, and a hat, water and sunscreen if it’s hot. Wear comfortable shoes.
What’s included?
- Transport in an executive class, air-conditioned 16-passenger seat Mercedes minibus.
- Plenty of free time, so you can explore several locations in one day.
- Souvenir booklets containing maps, photographs and information. We’ve highlighted our recommended things to see and do at each stop, so you can make the most of your free time.
- Expert insights from one of our fun, friendly driver-guides. All of our guides are locals, so we’ll bring the story of the Cotswolds to life.
What’s not included?
- Lunch and refreshments – bring your own picnic, or purchase food and drinks at the stops on the tour.
Cancellation policy, terms and conditions:
Our Bath & Southern Cotswolds tour may be amended, or cancelled for a full refund, up to 24 hours before departure. No refunds, credit or transfers are given for no-shows or cancellations made within 24 hours of the tour start time.
We’re sorry, children under 3 are not permitted on this tour.
Click here for our Terms and Conditions.
